Businessman recounts how he was shot in his office

A businessman, who was allegedly shot by his business partner at his Sliema office, yesterday told a court how a few months before the incident his assailant threatened him and his family while insisting he was owed Lm30,000.

Ronald Azzopardi told Magistrate Saviour Demicoli that in November last year Giouse Gauci went to his Sliema office and told him that if he did not give him the money "you shall see...".

"He also told me to remember I had children and when I asked him what he meant he said 'no, no... even I have children'," the witness said.

Mr Azzopardi, who was testifying in the compilation of evidence against Mr Gauci, said he never borrowed money from his business partner and explained that the latter had paid the Lm30,000 to a foreign company.

Mr Gauci, 58, of Gharghur is pleading not guilty to trying to kill Mr Azzopardi and seriously injuring him in Sliema on February 8 at about 10.30 a.m.

In a lengthy testimony Mr Azzopardi explained he was one of the four directors of Sovereign Hotels Ltd in which he held a minority shareholding. The other directors, who eventually dropped out, were Jean Pierre Borg, Mr Gauci and his son Christopher.

Mr Azzopardi explained that although Mr Gauci was no longer a director of the company, he remained in contact with him for reasons of business.

Moving on to the company's past performance, he explained how the company, which ran two hotels in Malta, had gone through a time of financial difficulties as there had been over investment. As time passed the situation became worse as the banks did not want to finance them and so they started to seek financing from abroad.

Mr Azzopardi tried to get financed from abroad but although a lot of money was spent in doing so, the finances were never granted.

He personally forked out some Lm150,000 to foreign investors which included about Lm80,000 to AITI Holdings Limited and Lm40,000 to Sterling and Manchester Finance Company Limited.

The Gaucis paid Lm30,000 to BSC Limited in Scotland that was run by a certain John Taylor while Mr Azzopardi pitched in another Lm10,000 to the same company. The witness added that Mr Taylor had expressed interest in investing in Price Club.

After insisting on negotiations with banks in Malta, an agreement was reached for the two hotels and eventually the situation improved.

Mr Azzopardi explained how he had reached two agreements with Mr Gauci. In the first, official agreement, it was agreed that the Gaucis would leave the business without taking anything with them.

In a second, confidential agreement, it was agreed that Mr Azzopardi would pay Taormina Holdings (which belonged to the Gaucis) Lm490,000 over 20 years.

Some time later Mr Gauci went to Mr Azzopardi's Sliema office demanding to be paid Lm30,000, claiming he had loaned the money to him. But Mr Azzopardi said he never borrowed money from Mr Gauci who had paid that sum to Mr Taylor. He however issued a cheque for Lm30,000 and it was agreed that Mr Gauci would not to cash it. When the cheque expired he issued another one for the same amount as Mr Gauci needed it in hand.

On December 31, 2004, Mr Azzopardi said, he was alone at his office when Mr Gauci called to wish him a happy New Year adding that he hoped it would not be his (Mr Azzopardi's) last.

On the day of the shooting Mr Azzopardi went to his office and found Mr Gauci waiting for him. "I told him we were meant to meet the following day but he insisted we were to meet that day. I told him I had spoken to his son and he told me he did not speak to his son.

"When I told him it was not my problem he stood up, walked behind me and punched me."

"When I asked him why he had punched me he produced a revolver and shot me at close range.

"I ran out. He ran after me. My office is on the ground floor. When I walked down some six steps and opened the door he fired another shot and hit the letter box.

"I ran toward the left hand side of the road. Then I felt a strong burning sensation where I had been shot, that is on the right side of my back.

"I ran. I lost my breath with fear. I thought I was going to die," he said and went on to explain how he was taken to St Luke's Hospital where he was operated upon.

The case continues.